Local development programme

The local development programme aims to improve the well-being of the Lao people, leaving no one behind. This outcome reflects the priorities of the Lao government's 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan 2021–2025, as well as the objectives of Luxembourg's 5th Indicative Cooperation Programme for Aid and Development and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation's Cooperation Programme for the Mekong Region (2022–2025), which are jointly financing the programme.

The local development programme builds on the close working relationships established under the previous programme in this area with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, in particular the Planning Department and its implementing agencies in the four target provinces.

It continues to encourage participatory planning and channel programme resources towards the achievement of priorities at district and village level. The focus on capacity development at national level, but especially at subnational level, helps central, provincial, district and village authorities to improve public services for the benefit of local communities. By strengthening capacities at all levels and engaging in policy dialogue, the programme aims to mitigate some of the threats facing rural communities in Laos, including land insecurity, deforestation and poor education outcomes.

The programme focuses on the poorest villages and districts in the provinces of Bokeo, Vientiane, Bolikhamxay and Khammouane, and is expanding its operations to cover approximately 20 districts and 315 villages.